Book Journal: Hottest Day Ever

On a day where temperatures were predicted to be in the mid-90s, the only reason I didn't take the day off from baking was because the forecast for today was for temperatures in the high 90s, and I knew I'd need to retreat to some public air conditioned place. Today you can find me at the local public library, doing what a writer should be doing: writing.

Yesterday was tough, but I came up with some heat-coping mechanisms that got me through testing four recipes. Keep a rotating supply of slightly damp dishrags in the freezer and wear them around the shoulders. The cooling effect lasts about five minutes and feels like a gift from the heavens.

Although I tested four recipes, I can only show you three. The fourth was too much of a disaster. And embarrassingly enough, they were simple chocolate-chip cookies, made with ground Brazil Nuts. I'm so ashamed... they flopped. Badly.

The other three were great. From left to right: Hazelnut Meringue Tart, Seventh Heaven Bars, and Chocolate Chip Cheesecake.